Football legend Alfredo Di Stefano, who won five successive European Cups with Real Madrid, has died at the age of 88.

The first galactico suffered a heart attack on Saturday and died in hospital yesterday surrounded by his family.

Di Stefano , known as the blond arrow, was born in Buenos Aires to Italian parents and began his professional career with hometown club River Plate in 1945.

He left for Colombian club Millonarios four years later but his move to Real Madrid was shrouded in controversy after both they and bitter rivals Barcelona claimed to have signed him. He eventually agreed to join the Catalan side but the Spanish Football Federation failed to recognise the transfer and then bizarrely decreed that he play alternate seasons for the two clubs. Barcelona said General Franco had influenced what they saw as a political decision and when Real were given first use of Di Stefano they were persuaded to sell their rights to the player.

He was to end the club’s 21-year wait for the league title in his first season before collecting a further seven league crowns. Di Stefano cemented his status as one of the greats by helping Real win the first five European Cups. He also played for three national sides – Argentina, Columbia and then Spain, after he gained citizenship.

In 1963 Di Stefano was kidnapped from the Real Madrid hotel in Caracas at gun-point and held for 56 hours by the Venezuelan pro-communists.

Other galacticos – expensive, world-class players – include the likes of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pele said of the Di Stefano, who could play in every position: “People argue between Pele or Maradona. Di Stefano is the best, much more complete.”

Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Di Stefano was one of the greatest footballers ever. He had such great balance.”